THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, August 25, 1994 TAG: 9408250566
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B8 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: WILLIAMSBURG LENGTH: Short : 37 lines
For the second consecutive year, city officials are working with the state Department of Game and Inland Fisheries to organize a hunt to thin out the Williamsburg area's deer herd.
``We have a serious overpopulation problem,'' City Manager Jackson C. Tuttle said. ``The bottom line is that this is a program we're going to have to continue next year and on into the future.''
During last year's hunt, 57 deer were killed and the venison was donated to the poor. Hunters are chosen for such herd reductions, which are not open to the public.
Phil West, a wildlife biologist with the state game department, recommended the city continue shooting deer this year because studies showed overpopulation remains a problem.
He said too many deer in too little space can cause damage to yards, gardens and habitats for song birds and other wildlife. Also, overpopulation can lead to the deaths of deer through starvation or traffic accidents. West's office recorded 112 deer-vehicle collisions in the Williamsburg area last year.
West said deer could be captured and relocated, but that would cost as much as $500 per animal and as many as 90 percent of the deer would die anyway because of the stress of being moved.
KEYWORDS: DEER
by CNB